For Immediate Release: November 14, 2005
Contact: Thomas Moore II (sports@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Brody, Strong and Meffert named America East Conference Volleyball Co-Player, Rookie and Setter of the Week

America East Conference Release

VESTAL, N.Y.--Binghamton junior outside hitter Katie Brody (Vestal, N.Y.), freshman outside hitter Brianna Strong (Elkhart, Ind.) and junior setter Ashley Meffert (Louisville, Ky.) has been named the America East Conference Volleyball Co-Player, Rookie and Setter of the Week, respectively for Nov. 7- Nov. 13. This marks the second time this season that Brody has received the award, while it is the third time this season that Strong has received the honor. Meffert has been named Setter of the Week three times this season; as a freshman she was honored as the Rookie of the Week twice.

Brody averaged team-highs of 5.50 kills and 6.50 points per game, while hitting .315 this past week. She had a match- and season-highs 22 kills and 26 points in the win over UMBC. She also had 12 digs, three blocks and a pair of service aces in the match. She helped the Bearcats improve from 7-7 in the conference last year to 10-2 this season.

"Katie hit very well, she was aggressive throughout the match," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "She came through will kills when we needed her. She has been has our most consistent hitter all year."

This past week Strong averaged 4.00 kills, 4.75 points, 3.00 digs and 0.75 aces per game, while hitting .244. She amassed season-highs of 16 kills and three aces in the win over UMBC. She also contributed 12 digs in the match.

"Brianna is developing into a more consistent player, especially with her hitting," Kiriyama said. "She had some good swings against UMBC. I thought her serving made it difficult for them to run their offense."

This past week Meffert averaged 14.00 assists, 3.25 digs and 0.75 blocks as the Bearcats concluded their regular season. On Sunday against UMBC, Meffert passed 56 assists, one shy of her season high which was in a five game match. She also added 13 digs, three blocks and an ace in the win.

"Ashley had a good all-around match," Kiriyama said. "She ran a good offense, getting everyone involved. She kept UMBC guessing what we were going to do."

Binghamton (18-11) heads to the America East Championship for the second year in its Division I history. Last season the team made its first appearance, falling to host Albany 3-0 in the semifinals. The No. 2 seeded Bearcats will take on No. 3 Maine in the second semifinal match of the day on Friday at 8 p.m.